Ryan Braun

Today, news leaked out that Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun allegedly tested positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs. He won the 2011 Most Valuable Player Award. He is now facing a 50-game suspension.

This news is shocking. Every other major superstar who has been caught or has admitted use (Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmiero, Jason Giambi, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz) has been suspected. Even the biggest cynic couldn't have thought Braun was on the juice. I know I never suspected it.

I recently thought about who were the best players who played their entire careers in the post-steroid era. Three players came up. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, and Ryan Braun. Ryan Braun won out. He was the best post-steroid player.

Post-steroid means we don't have to worry about players juicing the game anymore. Baseball has moved beyond that. Or so I thought. My trust has been broken moreso now than even when players in the late 1990s were being accused. It was the culture then. I thought we were beyond that. No player now is to be trusted either. Every player I look at, I have to wonder if they are enhancing themselves unnaturally. This is heartbreaking.

Also, he is the reigning MVP. Never before has the reigning MVP been caught like this (allegedly). What is going to happen to the award. Alex Rodriguez (2003,2005,2007) kept his MVP awards after his admission. Same with Ken Kaminiti (1996). Same with Jason Giambi (2001). But they were all caught years later, not during an MVP season. So now its easier to revoke because there is little baseball to interfere with our memories. Also, there is a clear 2nd place candidate who was very close to MVP. 3rd place isn't even close. Matt Kemp of the Dodgers himself would have won MVP if any game was influenced by Braun juicing (allegedly). That's how close it seemed to be. It's not like Braun was the only deserving player. It is in my humble opinion that Kemp was actually robbed of the MVP. But, there is no precendent for post-actively taking away an award. That's why I doubt the BaseBall Writers Association of America will revote for MVP.

It's just shocking and sad.